Gear drive and support for corn-harvesting unit

ABSTRACT

A support and drive for a corn-harvesting unit that includes a gear housing adapted for transverse adjustment along a transverse beam and having a transverse shaft-receiving opening that permits adjustment of the gear housing along a transverse drive shaft, a corn-harvesting unit framework supported at its rear end on the gear housing whereby the framework in the corn-harvesting mechanism carried on the framework is supported in cantilever fashion on the gear housing, and gear mechanism within the gear housing having external terminal portions connected to the harvesting mechanism whereby the entire harvesting mechanism is driven by gears within the gear housing and the harvesting mechanism and its framework is supported on the gear housing.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Lester Dale Schreiner 3.101579 8/1963 Karlsson et a1. .1 56/105 Ankeny: 3,271,940 9/1960 Ashton et a1 56/105 Joseph John Shindelnr, Des Moines, both 1.090,150 3/1914 Hibbs 56/18 of, Iowa 1,936,760 11/1933 Hitchcock 56/18 [211 App]. No. 5,644 3.520.121 7/1970 Ashton et al 56/106 {22] Filed Jan. 21, I970 FOREIGN PATENTS 1 f 1268,615 6/1961 France 56/105 [731 79,932 1/1963 France 56/105 Moline, 111. Continuation of application Ser No. Primary Examiner-Antonio F. Guida 662,928, Aug. 24, 1967, now b d d, Auurnu \'.s--William A. Murray. H. Vincent Harsha. John M.

Nolan and Harold M. Knoth 54] GEAR DRIVE AND SUPPORT FOR CORN. ABSTRACT: A support and drive for a corn-harvesting unit HARVESTING UNIT that includes a gear housing adapted for transverse adjustment 18 Cl im 10 D wi Fi along a transverse beam and having a transverse shaft-receiv- I 56] 7 ing opening that permits adjustment of the gear housing along [52] C l 56 a transverse drive shaft, a corn-harvesting unit framework supn I l d 6 ported at its rear end on the gear housing whereby the 151] Lot. C 56/l8 I05 framework in the cormharvesting mechanism carried on the [50] raid 0 Searc 106, framework is supported in cantilever fashion 0n the g hous ing, and gear mechanism within the gear housing having exter- [56] References Cited nal terminal portions connected to the harvesting mechanism whereby the entire harvesting mechanism is driven by gears UNITED STATES PATENTS within the gear housing and the harvesting mechanism and its 1,390,159 9/1921 Price 56/59 fra w k i supported on the gear housing i f g i PATENTEU JUN29 lsn SHEET 1 UF 4 INVENTORS LESTER D. SCHREINER 8| JOSEPH J. SHINDELAR PATENTEU JUNZQ i971 SHEET 2 OF 4 FIG. 2

PATENTEU JUNPS 1971 SHEET 3 [IF 4 FIG. 3

INVEN'I'ORS LESTER D.SCHRE|NER 8| JOSEPH J. SHINDELAR 7 ATTORNEY SHEET Q [1F 4 INVENTORS 45 I44 LESTER o. SCHREINER a.

JOSEPH J. SHINDELAR ATTORNEY GEAR DRIVE AND SUPPORT FOR CORN-HARVESTING UNIT This application is a continuation of my earlier filed application Ser. No. 662,928, filed Aug. 24, 1967, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention pertains to a corn harvester attachment adapted to be mounted on the forward end of a combine. More particularly the invention pertains to the structure for mounting and driving the individual harvesting units of a multirow harvester attachment on a single transverse beam and a single transverse drive shaft that spans the expanse of several rows of corn.

It has heretofore been known to provide a transverse beam on a corn harvester attachment that extends across several rows of corn and to have the individual row units for the respective rows of corn to be supported for transverse adjustment along the transverse beam. The latter adjustment is necessary to accommodate various spacing between the rows of corn. It has also been known to provide a transverse drive shaft means that is adjustable in various manner to accommodate itself to the drive mechanism on the respective row units at different spacing between the row units. Such a support and drive is shown in a present pending application U.S. Ser. No. 562,4l6that was filed June 8,1966.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the present invention there is provided a single gear housing that is supported on a transverse beam extending across several rows of plants. The gear housing serves as the primary and only support for the framework of the respective row units which in turn serves as the only and main support for the harvesting mechanisms of the row units. The gear housing has gear trains therein serving as the only drive means for the harvesting mechanism on the respective framework. Each gear housing has a transverse opening that circumscribes a single transverse drive shaft extending substantially the full width of the harvester attachment. The gear train includes a main drive gear supported in the gear housing concentric with the main drive shaft that extends through the housing. .The gear train operates the entire harvesting mechanism of the respective row unit. The main gear is drivingly connected to the main drive shaft by a clutch having one of its parts slidably mounted relative to the main drive shaft but drivingly connected thereto.

The gear housing is further utilized to support in cantilever fashion the main rigid framework for the harvesting mechanism of the respective row unit. Consequently a single gear housing serves in part as the main support for the harvesting unit as well as a container for the drive mechanism to the harvesting mechanisms of the unit.

It is further proposed in the present invention to provide in the fore-and-aft structure of the row units an adjustable plate that defines one side of a plant passage. The adjustable plate is movable transversely on the supporting elements or framework of each row unit so that the width of the respective passageway may be varied. Supported on the transverse beam closely adjacent thereto is a transversely shiftable control rod, also extending the full width of theharvester, and there are means connecting the rod and each of the shiftable plates on the respective row units. Consequently shifting of the transverse rod shifts the transversely adjustable plates of all of the row units in unison.

It is further proposed as part of the present invention to provide an adjustable drive between the main drive on the combine and the main transverse shaft on the harvester whereby the speed or rate of movement of the harvesting mechanisms may be adjusted irrespective of the speed of the combine and in accordance with the characteristics of the corn moving through the harvester. I

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF Til-IE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a combine with the corn head portion removed.

FIG. 2 is a front and perspective view of the combine with a corn head attached thereto.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a corn harvester mechanism with the housing or styling removed therefrom.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the lines 44 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the upper end of the structure shown in FIG. 3 with portions broken away to show internal mechanism.

FIG. 6 is a view taken substantially along the lines 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a view taken substantially along the lines 7-7 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a variable speed drive supported on the side of the feeder housing of the combine.

Fig. is a sectional view taken substantially along the lines 9-9 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the drive for the corn head.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The corn head 10 is supported on the forward end of a combine 11, a feeder housing structure 12 being provided between the combine 11 and corn head 10. The corn head 10 has an upper transverse structural tube 13 extending across its upper rear side. A pair of transverse vertical rear walls l4, 15 is supported beneath the beam 13 and terminates adjacent an opening at the center of the corn head 10. The feeder housing 12 is provided with a forward upper horizontal groove 16 that engages the underside of the center portion of the tubular beam 13. A wall 17 is provided beneath the groove 16 and generally fills the gap between the inner edges of the walls 14, 15. The feeder housing 12 is therefore connected to the corn head 10 by inserting the groove 16 beneath the underside of the tubular member 13 and raising until the wall 17 is in vertical alignment with the walls 14, 15. The lower edge of the wall 17 is provided with suitable means for connecting that edge to the corn head housing. This connection is, for purposes of the present invention, of little significance since it is shown and described in a present pending application U.S. Ser. No. 546,773, filed May 2, 1966. Should details of this construction be desired, such may be had by reference to that application.

At opposite ends of the transverse tubular member 13 is a pair of fore-and-aft extending end walls or stylings l8, l9 terminating in a pair of forward gatherers 20, 21. In the present invention, the corn head is utilized to harvest four rows of corn and consequently between the gatherers 20, 21 there are three additional gatherers 22, 23, 24 that feed stalks of corn into the respective passages as the combine moves forwardly. The gatherers 2024 and the styling or panels extending rearwardly therefrom covers harvesting row mechanism 25 as shown specifically in FIG. 3. All of the row or harvesting units 25 are supported on a single transversely extending main support beam 26 disposed just rearwardly of the respective units 25 and extending substantially the transverse expanse of the corn head attachment 10. Each of the row units 25 is composed of a gear housing 27 having a rigid lower portion 28 with rear and lower surfaces that engage the internal surfaces of the angle iron main beam 26. The portion 28 of the gear housing has upper and lower flanges 29, 30 respectively receiving a pair of bolts 31, 32. The bolt 31 has an eyelet 33 that receives the bolt 32. The bolts 31, 32 extend on the outer sides of the transverse beam 26, as shown clearly in FIG. 5, and when the nuts for the bolts are suitably tightened, the respective gear housings 27 are bolted rigidly to the beam 26. Upon loosening the nuts on the bolts 31, 32 the entire harvesting unit may be shifted transversely on the beam 26 where the nuts may again be tightened.

Plate structure or framework 35 is bolted to the respective gear housings 27 by bolts 36, 37. The plate structure 35 is composed of a rear plate 38, partially overlying the gear hous ing 27, and a pair of fore-and-aft extending deck plates 39, 40 spaced transversely apart to have inner adjacent edges defining a fore-and-aft extending passage through which stalks may move. Depending from the underside and fixed to the plates 39, 40 are vertical flanges or plates, such as at 41, that serve to rigidify the entire plate structure. As is evident in FIG. 4, the vertical flange 41 receives the bolt 37 by which the plate structure 35 is carried on the respective gear housing 27. As is clearly evident, the entire structures 35 are supported in cantilever fashion on the respective gear housings 27.

Above and slightly rearwardly of the main transverse support beam is a transversely extending drive shaft 45. The shaft 45 also extends substantially the entire width of the row unit 10. Each of the gear housings 27 is provided with a rear portion 46 having a transverse horizontal opening that receives a portion of the shaft 45. A cover plate 47 is provided at one end of the gear housing portion 46 and when removed, provides access into the gear housing 27. A gear 48 is supported concentrically with the shaft 45 within the housing portion 46 and has hub portions journaled at 49, 50 to the gear housing portion 46 and the cover plate 47. The main gear 48 is not, therefore, normally mounted in driving relation with the shaft 45. For this purpose, there is provided a clutch mechanism 51. The clutch 51 is composed of a first part 52 fixed to rotate with the shaft 45 and a second part 53 fixed to rotate with the gear 48, a threaded joint 54 being provided for connection of the parts 53 and 48. The part 53 has a radial plate 59 supported thereon with teeth 55 that intermesh with teeth on the part 52. The plate 59 is biased by springs 56, carried on bolts 57, so that the teeth remain intermeshed. As the shaft 45 rotates, the gear 48 is driven by the clutch 51. However, should there be an excessive load, due either to malfunction or excess material in the harvesting mechanism 25, the clutch will slip at the teeth 55. I

Carried on the forward ends of the deck plates 39, 40 are sprocket devices 60, 61 that include a pair of sprockets 62, 63 respectively provided with spring tension means 64, 65 respectively tending to bias the sprockets forwardly. The exact mounting means for the sprockets 62, 63 are not important for a full appreciation of the present invention. A rear pair of sprockets 66, 67 is provided above the deck rear plate 38 and is carried on sprocket shafts 68, 69. A pair of chains 70, 71 is carried by the sprockets 62, 68 and 63, 67 respectively and has inner runs adjacent to one another so as to engage and drive stalks moving through the passage in a rearward direction. A pair of chain guides 72, 73 is provided outside of the respective inner runs and tends to prevent the runs from moving outwardly in respect to the passage. A pair of rotatably driven harvesting rolls 76, 77 is provided beneath the deck plates. The rolls are carried on roll shafts 78, 79 respectively, the latter extending through a forward vertical wall 80 of the gear housing 27.

Supported within the housing 27 are three transverse horizontal gear shafts 84, 85, 86 having intermeshing spur gears 87, 88 and 89 respectively mounted thereon. The gear 87 meshes with the teeth of the gear 48 and consequently the gears on the respective shafts are forced to rotate. The shaft 85 carries a pair of spur gears 90, 91 driving spur gears 92, 93 on the harvesting roll shafts 78, 79. The shaft 86 carries a pair of spur gears 94, 95 meshing with large spur gears 96, 97 fixed to the sprocket shafts 68, 69. As may be seen, therefore, the

entire harvesting mechanism on the respective row units 25 are driven entirely by gears within the housing 27 and from a basic connection to the main drive shaft 45.

Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4 and 7, the deck plate 40 is adjustable in a transverse direction. The chain guide 73 has a laterally disposed flange that rests on top of the plate 40 and is bolted as at 100 to a laterally disposed flange 102 that is rigid with the vertical plate 41. Sandwiched between the flange of the chain guide 73 and the flange 102 is the deck plate 40. The

plate 40 has a pair of transverse slots 103 that receives the bolts 100. Thus, the plate 40 is adapted to shift transversely. 0n the outer edges of the plate 40 there is pivotally mounted a pair of bellcranks 104, 105. The bellcranks 104, 105 are pinned to the plate 40 by pins 106, 107. The rear bellcrank 104 is pinned at 108, the latter pin 108 being journaled in a fitting 110 and having connected thereto a rearwardly projecting arm 109. The rear end of the arm 109 is bolted at 111 to a transverse rod 112 disposed directly forwardly of the transverse main beam 26 and betweenthe flanges of that beam. It will be noted there is a hollow area between the lower portion 28 of the gear housing and the beam 26 through which the transverse rod 112 may project. Consequently a single transverse rod 112 extends completely across the rear end of all of the harvesting units and the single rod 112 may control the deck plates 40 and consequently the widths of the respective passages of the harvesting units 25. A link 113 interconnects the bellcranks 104, 105 and, as may be seen from viewing FIG. 7, the link 113 and deck plate 40 are in fact parallel links and the bellcranks 104, 105 are further parallel links so that as the bellcrank 104 is rotated the deck plate is guided uniformly inwardly or outwardly. The slots 103 permit transverse adjustment of the plates 40.

Power for operating the entire corn head is received from the power source of the combine by means of a power input sprocket 115 fixed to one part of an expandable belt pulley 116. The sprocket part 116 has a central hub portion 117 on which is slidably carried a second part 118 of the expandable pulley. The hub 117 is carried on a mounting shaft 119 having an outer threaded end 120. As may be seen from FIG. 1, the sprocket parts 116, 117 are supported on the upper end of the feeder housing 12 and the input sprocket 115 is closely adjacent to the combine where it may easily be driven by power from the combine. Carried on the threaded end 120 is a sprocket 121 having a hub portion bearing against the hub portion of the pulley part 118. Consequently as the sprocket 121 is threaded along the threaded part 120 it moves the sprocket part 118 axially to increase or decrease the effective width of the groove between the parts 116, 118. At the lower end of the feeder housing, there is provided a similar structure that includes a pair of relatively movable pulley parts 125, 126 supported basically on a support shaft 127 having an outer threaded end 128. An output sprocket 129 is fixed to rotate with the sprocket part 125. An adjusting sprocket 130 is threadedly mounted on the threaded end 128 and its hub portion bears against the hub portion of the pulley part 126. Consequently as the sprocket 130 is threaded along the threaded part 128, it adjusts the effective width of the pulley groove. It will be noted from viewing FIG. 9 that the threads on the shaft parts 120, 128 are of opposite hand so that as both sprocket parts 121, 130 move in clockwise or counterclockwise directions there is an opposite effect on the width of the respective grooves in the pulley structures. A belt 131 is played over the respective pulley parts 116, 118 and 125, 126 and a chain 132 is played over the sprockets 121, 130. Opposite ends of the chain 132 are connected to opposite ends of a rod 133 that extends outwardly of opposite ends of a hydraulic cylinder 134. Fixed to the rod 133 internally of the cylinder 134 is a piston, not shown, that may be actuated for axial movement within the cylinder 134 by hydraulic lines 135, 136. As is clearly apparent, by suitable shifting of the piston within the cylinder 134, the chain 132 is caused to shift and to rotate the respective sprockets 121, 130 in a single direction, the latter action creating shifting of the shiftable pulley parts 118, 126 and to thereby adjust the speed of the output sprocket 129.

The input sprocket 115 of the above drive, as previously mentioned,'receives its power from the main power source of the combine. It is believed such is significant for the reason that the rate of movement of the drive chains 70, 71, the harvesting rolls 76, 77, and the auger device 146 that extends transversely across the rear ends of the harvesting units 25 may be adjusted without regard to the rate of movement of the combine over the field. Referring now to FIG. 10, the output sprocket 129 drives a countershaft 140 through a flexible drive 141. The shaft '140 drives an auger drive shaft 142 by a flexible drive 143 and also drives the main harvesting unit shaft 45 through a flexible drive 144. Thus, it may seem that the adjustable drive consisting of the adjustable pulleys and the V-belt 131 affects the rate of rotation of the auger 146 and the various movable parts on the individual harvesting units 25 that are controlled by the unit drive shaft 45.

We claim:

1. In a corn harvester attachment for harvesting a plurality of rows of corn and supported forwardly of and on a mobile crop-treating unit, the corn harvester having a main supporting structure including a transverse horizontal beam extending across a plurality of corn rows, the improvement comprising: a main rotatable horizontal drive shaft extending transversely across a plurality of rows and supported on the supporting structure; a plurality of crop-harvesting units, with each adapted to harvest a row of corn and with each having a gear housing adapted to be supported on the beam in any ofa plurality of transverse positions along the beam whereby transverse spacing between the respective and adjacent harvesting units may be adjusted in accordance with various spacings between the rows of corn, the gear housing further having a portion with a transverse horizontal opening adapted to circumscribe the transverse drive shaft, and each harvesting unit further having a forwardly projecting rigid framework with a rear end portion fixedly attached to the gear housing and projecting forwardly and downwardly therefrom to a forward end portion; harvesting mechanism supported on the framework and extending between the rear and forward portions thereof; a gear train within each gear housing including a main drive gear concentric with the drive shaft and rotatable relative thereto, the gear train terminating in drive shaft means having drive portions external of the gear housing connected to and for operating the harvesting mechanism; and a clutch drivingly connecting the drive gear of each harvesting unit to the main drive shaft.

2. The structure as set forth in claim 1 in which the forwardly projecting rigid framework includes a pair of laterally disposed plate members that project forwardly from the gear housing and are spaced apart transversely to define a foreand-aft extending plant passage through which stalks of the row may move and further characterized by the plate members being supported on the gear housing in cantilever fashion whereby the plate members will project forwardly and downwardly to the aforesaid forward end portion of the framework.

3. The structure as set forth in claim 1 in which the forwardly projecting rigid framework includes a pair of elongated structural members spaced apart transversely to define a foreand-aft extending stalk passage with each of the rigid members being supported in cantilever fashion at their rear ends on the gear housing.

4. The structure as set forth in claim 1 in which the main gear has a hub portion journaled externally on the gear housing and having a central shaft opening through which the main drive shaft projects with said central opening being considerably larger than said shaft whereby axial movement of the entire gear housing may occur in respect to the main drive shaft.

5. The structure as set forth in claim 4 in which the hub projects externally of the gear housing, and the clutch includes a first part drivingly connected to the main drive shaft and a second part drivingly connected to the hub with faces of said parts being engageable to effect rotation of the main gear in response to rotation of the main drive shaft.

6. The structure as set forth in claim 1 in which each gear housing has an upper wall portion and a pair of transversely spaced side portions, and each of the rigid frameworks includes a pair of upper laterally disposed plates with rear portions of the plates overlying the gear housing and attached thereto and vertical plate portions depending from the laterally disposed plate portions and lying adjacent the sides of the gear housing and being fixed thereto.

7. The structure as set forth in claim 1 characterized by the harvesting mechanism including a pair of forwardly extending gathering chains that is adapted to engage and move corn products rearwardly, and a pair of harvesting rolls positioned beneath the gathering chains, and the rigid framework includes a pair of laterally disposed plates positioned between the respective gathering chains and rolls and are spaced apart transversely to define a stalk passage; and the harvesting mechanism including both the rolls and the gathering chains is driven by the drive portions, whereby the drive means for the harvesting mechanism and the framework supporting the harvesting mechanism are supported in and on the gear housing.

8. The structure as set forth in claim 1 in which the drive portions include a pair of vertically disposed chain drive shafts and a pair of forwardly and downwardly projecting roll drive shafts, and the harvesting mechanism includes transversely spaced apart gathering chains having their upper ends supported on the chain drive shafts and a pair of transversely spaced fore-and-aft extending harvesting rolls positioned beneath the respective chains and drivingly connected to the roll drive shafts, and the gear train within the gear housing extends from the main drive gear to internal portions of the chain and roll drive shafts.

9. In a corn harvester attachment for harvesting a plurality of rows of corn and supported forwardly of and on a mobile crop-treating unit, the corn harvester having a main supporting structure including a transverse horizontal beam extending across a plurality of corn rows, the improvement comprising: a main rotatable horizontal drive shaft extending transversely across a plurality of rows; a plurality of crop-harvesting units, with each adapted to harvest a row of corn and with each unit having a gear housing, the latter having mechanism for supporting the gear housing on the beam in any of a plurality of transverse positions along the beam whereby transverse spacing between the respective and adjacent harvesting units may be adjusted in accordance with various spacings between rows of corn, the gear housing further having a portion with a transverse horizontal opening adapted to circumscribe the transverse drive shaft, each harvesting unit further having a forwardly projecting rigid framework with a rear end portion fixedly attached to the gear housing to support the framework in cantilever fashion from the rear portion on the housing, the framework projecting forwardly and downwardly from the rear portion to a forward end portion; harvesting mechanism supported entirely on the framework and gear housing and extending between the rear and forward portions; and a gear train within the gear housing including; main drive gear means concentric with the drive shaft and drivingly connected therewith, the gear train having drive shaft means with drive portions external of the gear housing connected to and for operating the entire harvesting mechanism.

10. A com harvester adapted for support on a combine having a main power source comprising: a housing structure adapted for support at its rear end on the forward end of the combine and projecting therefrom to a forward end; a transverse harvester framework extending forward of and adapted for connection to the forward end of the housing structure, the harvester framework including a transverse horizontal beam extending across a plurality of corn rows; a transverse drive shaft adjacent the beam and also extending across a plurality of corn rows; a plurality of harvesting structures adapted for simultaneous harvesting of a plurality of corn rows, each harvesting structure including a gear housing at its rear end fixedly attachable at various transverse positions on the beam and fore-and-aft extending structural elements cantilevered forwardly from the gear housing and: supporting harvesting mechanism thereon, the gear housing further having transverse opening means for receiving the shaft to pass therethrough; drive mechanism within the gear housing in cluding a gear concentric with the shaft with means interjoining the shaft and gear for effecting rotation in unison, the drive mechanism further having portions external of the housing for driving the entire harvesting mechanism of the respective harvesting structure.

II. The structure as set forth in claim 10 in which each of the harvesting mechanisms includes a pair of fore-and-aft extending harvesting rolls and a pair of continuous chains positioned above the rolls and supported on sprocket means whereby the chains have adjacent fore-and-aft inner runs adapted to engage stalks of corn from opposite sides; and further characterized by a variable speed drive connected to the transverse drive shaft for effecting the rate of rotation of the chains and the rolls.

12. The structure as set forth in claim 11 further characterized by the variable speed drive being composed ofa pair of shafts one being driven by the power source and the other being drivingly connected to the transverse drive shaft; pulley means on each of the pair of shafts composed of two opposed cone discs one of which is fixed to the shaft and the other of which is shiftable axially; a pair of sprockets threadedly mounted on threaded parts on the respective shafts with said parts being threaded leftand right-handed respectively, said sprockets bearing against the shiftable discs to thereby shift the latter in response to threaded adjustment of the sprockets; a two-way hydraulic motor having shiftable means therein; and a chain played around the sprockets and connected to the shiftable means whereby shifting thereof will effect rotation of the sprockets.

13. The structure as set forth in claim 12 in which the twoway hydraulic motor is a hydraulic cylinder with shiftable rod elements projecting from opposite ends thereof and the chain has opposite ends connected to the respective rod elements.

14. The structure as set forth in claim 10 in which the foreand-aft extending structural elements of each harvesting structure are on opposite sides of a plant passage and have thereon inner fore-and-aft extending and opposed edges that define the passage, with one of the edges being shiftable transversely in respect to the other edge.

15. The structure as set forth in claim M in which the shiftable edge is on a plate that is shiftable transversely on a basic structural element fixed to the gear housing and the plate is one link of a parallel linkage, and further characterized by a member supported for transverse shifting on the harvester framework and connected to the parallel linkage for shifting the plate.

16. The structure as set forth in claim 14 further characterized by a transverse rod supported forwardly of the transverse beam for transverse shiftable movement and extending across the expanse of the plurality of harvesting structures; and means connecting the rod to the elements with the shiftable edges of the respective harvesting structures whereby shifting of the rod effects shifting of the edges on the harvesting units in unison.

17. The invention defined in claim 10 in which the means interjoining the shaft and gear includes a slip clutch between the gear and the shaft.

18. In a corn harvester having a plurality of corn-harvesting units in side-by-side relation and adjustable toward and away from one another to accommodate various row spacings of com; a singular drive shaft extending transversely along the rear ends of said units; drive means extending between the shaft and respective units for driving the latter, said drive means being adjustable along the shaft to accommodate adjustment of the units toward or away from one another; a transverse rod supported for transverse movement adjacent the rear ends of the units and having a transverse expanse across a plurality of the units; a deck plate supported on each of the units for lateral shifting movement in a transverse direction toward and away from a row of corn passing through the respective units, and means connecting the respective deck plates to the rod whereby all of the deck plates may be adjusted transversely in unison in response to transverse movement of the rod, said latter means being releasably connectable and shiftable along the rod for accommodating various spacings between the harvesting units. 

1. In a corn harvester attachment for harvesting a plurality of rows of corn and supported forwardly of and on a mobile croptreating unit, the corn harvester having a main supporting structure including a transverse horizontal beam extending across a plurality of corn rows, the improvement comprising: a main rotatable horizontal drive shaft extending transversely across a plurality of rows and supported on the supporting structure; a plurality of crop-harvesting units, with each adapted to harvest a row of corn and with each having a gear housing adapted to be supported on the beam in any of a plurality of transverse positions along the beam whereby transverse spacing between the respective and adjacent harvesting units may be adjusted in accordance with various spacings between the rows of corn, the gear housing further having a portion with a transverse horizontal opening adapted to circumscribe the transverse drive shaft, and each harvesting unit further having a forwardly projecting rigid framework with a rear end portion fixedly attached to the gear housing and projecting forwardly and downwardly therefrom to a forward end portion; harvesting mechanism supported on the framework and extending between the rear and forward portions thereof; a gear train within each gear housing including a main drive gear concentric with the drive shaft and rotatable relative thereto, the gear train terminating in drive shaft means having drive portions external of the geaR housing connected to and for operating the harvesting mechanism; and a clutch drivingly connecting the drive gear of each harvesting unit to the main drive shaft.
 2. The structure as set forth in claim 1 in which the forwardly projecting rigid framework includes a pair of laterally disposed plate members that project forwardly from the gear housing and are spaced apart transversely to define a fore-and-aft extending plant passage through which stalks of the row may move and further characterized by the plate members being supported on the gear housing in cantilever fashion whereby the plate members will project forwardly and downwardly to the aforesaid forward end portion of the framework.
 3. The structure as set forth in claim 1 in which the forwardly projecting rigid framework includes a pair of elongated structural members spaced apart transversely to define a fore-and-aft extending stalk passage with each of the rigid members being supported in cantilever fashion at their rear ends on the gear housing.
 4. The structure as set forth in claim 1 in which the main gear has a hub portion journaled externally on the gear housing and having a central shaft opening through which the main drive shaft projects with said central opening being considerably larger than said shaft whereby axial movement of the entire gear housing may occur in respect to the main drive shaft.
 5. The structure as set forth in claim 4 in which the hub projects externally of the gear housing, and the clutch includes a first part drivingly connected to the main drive shaft and a second part drivingly connected to the hub with faces of said parts being engageable to effect rotation of the main gear in response to rotation of the main drive shaft.
 6. The structure as set forth in claim 1 in which each gear housing has an upper wall portion and a pair of transversely spaced side portions, and each of the rigid frameworks includes a pair of upper laterally disposed plates with rear portions of the plates overlying the gear housing and attached thereto and vertical plate portions depending from the laterally disposed plate portions and lying adjacent the sides of the gear housing and being fixed thereto.
 7. The structure as set forth in claim 1 characterized by the harvesting mechanism including a pair of forwardly extending gathering chains that is adapted to engage and move corn products rearwardly, and a pair of harvesting rolls positioned beneath the gathering chains, and the rigid framework includes a pair of laterally disposed plates positioned between the respective gathering chains and rolls and are spaced apart transversely to define a stalk passage; and the harvesting mechanism including both the rolls and the gathering chains is driven by the drive portions, whereby the drive means for the harvesting mechanism and the framework supporting the harvesting mechanism are supported in and on the gear housing.
 8. The structure as set forth in claim 1 in which the drive portions include a pair of vertically disposed chain drive shafts and a pair of forwardly and downwardly projecting roll drive shafts, and the harvesting mechanism includes transversely spaced apart gathering chains having their upper ends supported on the chain drive shafts and a pair of transversely spaced fore-and-aft extending harvesting rolls positioned beneath the respective chains and drivingly connected to the roll drive shafts, and the gear train within the gear housing extends from the main drive gear to internal portions of the chain and roll drive shafts.
 9. In a corn harvester attachment for harvesting a plurality of rows of corn and supported forwardly of and on a mobile crop-treating unit, the corn harvester having a main supporting structure including a transverse horizontal beam extending across a plurality of corn rows, the improvement comprising: a main rotatable horizontal drive shaft extending transversely across a plurality of rows; a plurality of crop-harvesting units, with each adapted to harvest a Row of corn and with each unit having a gear housing, the latter having mechanism for supporting the gear housing on the beam in any of a plurality of transverse positions along the beam whereby transverse spacing between the respective and adjacent harvesting units may be adjusted in accordance with various spacings between rows of corn, the gear housing further having a portion with a transverse horizontal opening adapted to circumscribe the transverse drive shaft, each harvesting unit further having a forwardly projecting rigid framework with a rear end portion fixedly attached to the gear housing to support the framework in cantilever fashion from the rear portion on the housing, the framework projecting forwardly and downwardly from the rear portion to a forward end portion; harvesting mechanism supported entirely on the framework and gear housing and extending between the rear and forward portions; and a gear train within the gear housing including main drive gear means concentric with the drive shaft and drivingly connected therewith, the gear train having drive shaft means with drive portions external of the gear housing connected to and for operating the entire harvesting mechanism.
 10. A corn harvester adapted for support on a combine having a main power source comprising: a housing structure adapted for support at its rear end on the forward end of the combine and projecting therefrom to a forward end; a transverse harvester framework extending forward of and adapted for connection to the forward end of the housing structure, the harvester framework including a transverse horizontal beam extending across a plurality of corn rows; a transverse drive shaft adjacent the beam and also extending across a plurality of corn rows; a plurality of harvesting structures adapted for simultaneous harvesting of a plurality of corn rows, each harvesting structure including a gear housing at its rear end fixedly attachable at various transverse positions on the beam and fore-and-aft extending structural elements cantilevered forwardly from the gear housing and supporting harvesting mechanism thereon, the gear housing further having transverse opening means for receiving the shaft to pass therethrough; drive mechanism within the gear housing including a gear concentric with the shaft with means interjoining the shaft and gear for effecting rotation in unison, the drive mechanism further having portions external of the housing for driving the entire harvesting mechanism of the respective harvesting structure.
 11. The structure as set forth in claim 10 in which each of the harvesting mechanisms includes a pair of fore-and-aft extending harvesting rolls and a pair of continuous chains positioned above the rolls and supported on sprocket means whereby the chains have adjacent fore-and-aft inner runs adapted to engage stalks of corn from opposite sides; and further characterized by a variable speed drive connected to the transverse drive shaft for effecting the rate of rotation of the chains and the rolls.
 12. The structure as set forth in claim 11 further characterized by the variable speed drive being composed of a pair of shafts one being driven by the power source and the other being drivingly connected to the transverse drive shaft; pulley means on each of the pair of shafts composed of two opposed cone discs one of which is fixed to the shaft and the other of which is shiftable axially; a pair of sprockets threadedly mounted on threaded parts on the respective shafts with said parts being threaded left- and right-handed respectively, said sprockets bearing against the shiftable discs to thereby shift the latter in response to threaded adjustment of the sprockets; a two-way hydraulic motor having shiftable means therein; and a chain played around the sprockets and connected to the shiftable means whereby shifting thereof will effect rotation of the sprockets.
 13. The structure as set forth in claim 12 in which the two-way hydraulic motor is a hydraulic cylinder with shIftable rod elements projecting from opposite ends thereof and the chain has opposite ends connected to the respective rod elements.
 14. The structure as set forth in claim 10 in which the fore-and-aft extending structural elements of each harvesting structure are on opposite sides of a plant passage and have thereon inner fore-and-aft extending and opposed edges that define the passage, with one of the edges being shiftable transversely in respect to the other edge.
 15. The structure as set forth in claim 14 in which the shiftable edge is on a plate that is shiftable transversely on a basic structural element fixed to the gear housing and the plate is one link of a parallel linkage, and further characterized by a member supported for transverse shifting on the harvester framework and connected to the parallel linkage for shifting the plate.
 16. The structure as set forth in claim 14 further characterized by a transverse rod supported forwardly of the transverse beam for transverse shiftable movement and extending across the expanse of the plurality of harvesting structures; and means connecting the rod to the elements with the shiftable edges of the respective harvesting structures whereby shifting of the rod effects shifting of the edges on the harvesting units in unison.
 17. The invention defined in claim 10 in which the means interjoining the shaft and gear includes a slip clutch between the gear and the shaft.
 18. In a corn harvester having a plurality of corn-harvesting units in side-by-side relation and adjustable toward and away from one another to accommodate various row spacings of corn; a singular drive shaft extending transversely along the rear ends of said units; drive means extending between the shaft and respective units for driving the latter, said drive means being adjustable along the shaft to accommodate adjustment of the units toward or away from one another; a transverse rod supported for transverse movement adjacent the rear ends of the units and having a transverse expanse across a plurality of the units; a deck plate supported on each of the units for lateral shifting movement in a transverse direction toward and away from a row of corn passing through the respective units, and means connecting the respective deck plates to the rod whereby all of the deck plates may be adjusted transversely in unison in response to transverse movement of the rod, said latter means being releasably connectable and shiftable along the rod for accommodating various spacings between the harvesting units. 